Bioethics During a Pandemic With Rabbi Gerson and Dr. Gerson

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We are reading daily about the shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment), ventilators, and hospital beds. When we run out of these vital supplies and equipment, what ethical criteria do we use to decide who gets treated and who does not? What do our texts tell us about such decisions? Do we assign higher value to some lives, or do we use an algorithm based on medical criteria alone, or a simple lottery?

We will review some of the algorithms offered for guidance to medical staff faced with crisis decisions. We will debate which of these criteria we think are ethical, and review some of our Jewish sources which address ethically difficult decisions.

Dr. Gerson is a retired pediatric otolaryngologist and an active mohelet with a doctorate in bioethics. She is a faculty member of the medical schools of Northwestern and Tulane universities. Rabbi Gerson served as Senior Rabbi of Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion in the Chicago suburbs from 1979 to 2009. As Rabbi Emeritus, he teaches courses in Jewish text, Kabbalah, Jewish thought, and comparative religion. A Fulbright scholar, Rabbi Gerson holds master’s degrees in religion and psychology, rabbinic ordination, a doctorate in ministry, and certification as a family therapist.

   Dr. Carol Gerson is a retired pediatric otolaryngologist and an active mohelet with a doctorate in bioethics.       She is a faculty member of the medical schools of Northwestern and Tulane universities. 

    Rabbi Gary Gerson served as Senior Rabbi of Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion in the Chicago suburbs     from 1979 to 2009. As Rabbi Emeritus, he teaches courses in Jewish text, Kabbalah, Jewish thought, and       comparative religion. A Fulbright scholar, Rabbi Gerson holds master’s degrees in religion and psychology,     rabbinic ordination, a doctorate in ministry, and certification as a family therapist.